Climbing Shoes

If you are brave-hearted and love challenges to bits, then climbing will satisfy your cravings for adventure. However, having a pair of durable and high-quality climbing shoes is imperative to make every climb worth the sweat. Since there are a lot of options to select from, we understand how challenging it can be to find the right one. Well, we would love to guide you from start to finish, so read on.

When shopping online, keep in mind that not all climbing shoes are designed for the same purpose. There is a pair suitable for scaling mountains while something else is designed for manoeuvring indoor rock walls at a gym. Thus, you need to decide first on the type of climbing that you want to engage in. Doing so will help you determine the right shoes to pick amongst the sea of options available. Is this your first time shopping for climbing footwear? Then our practical guide below will enable you to make the right decision. However, before we get to the heart of the matter, let’s first discover some of the reasons why having the perfect pair of sports shoes will help you go a long way in the climbing sport.

The amazing benefits of climbing shoes

A high-quality climbing shoe can work wonders in protecting your feet from wounds, scratches, and injuries when climbing. Therefore, you can easily torque, cam, jam, wedge, or stack. What’s more, a pair can keep your lower extremities warm, especially in trad routes with higher elevation. When it comes to stability, climbing footwear will never disappoint. That’s because it prevents the feet from getting tired even when walking on the rock for prolonged periods. Furthermore, the right shoes provide proprioceptive feedback, which keeps you aware of your feet’s position and angle. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced climber, it takes the right pair of shoes to help you achieve your goals.

Different types of climbing shoes

There is a specific type of footwear designed for the kind of climbing you intend to do. Neutral offers a relaxed and comfortable fit by enabling the toes to lie flat inside the shoes. Meanwhile, moderate is characterised by its slightly downturned shape, making it perfect for technical climbing. What’s more, it has an all-purpose nature, so it can impeccably handle crack climbs, slab routes, slightly overhung sport routes, and long multi-pitch climbs. If you are looking for something that can secure your feet when doing tough overhanging climbs, go for aggressive shoes. Typically, these are characterised by a downturned shape and snug fit. They are also worn for routes at the gym and single-pitch sport climbs.

Types of climbing shoe closures

Climbing shoes come in three types of closures—slip-on, strap, and lace-up. Also known as slippers, the slip-on varieties feature elastic closure systems and optimal sensitivity. They are also fun to wear during training, as the lack of a stiff sole and midsole makes the feet faster and stronger. Meanwhile, straps provide superior on/off convenience. Also referred to as hook-and-loop, they are highly suitable for gym climbing and bouldering. Lace-ups are the most versatile type of closure, as you can loosen them when your feet swell up or get hot. Whatever you choose amongst these closures, ensure that they will give you happy feet and supreme comfort.

Climbing shoe outsoles to choose from

Commonly known as the sole, the outsole pertains to the rubber part of the footwear that touches the rock. It comes in different types and thicknesses to suit various climbing styles and performance. Generally, thicker soles measure between 4 and 5.5mm. Meanwhile, thinner ones range from 3 to 4mm and are perfect for smearing on lab routes. You can also choose between sticky and firm rubbers. The former provides better grip when smearing on labs, while the latter ensures better edging and support for the foot. Moreover, both are durable enough, making them a fantastic pick for those who have just begun their climbing adventures.

Types of climbing footwear materials

Shoe uppers come in either synthetic or leather. Synthetic materials provide minimal stretch; thus, their shape does not change much. Moreover, they are laudable for their ability to wick away sweat. Meanwhile, leather comes in two types, such as lined and unlined. Lined leather shoes, which provide more skin-to-skin contact, can only stretch around half the size and provide a more consistent fit through the years. On the other hand, unlined leather varieties can stretch up to full size and are touted as the most breathable and conformable to the feet. Though these two leather varieties have notable differences, both are low-maintenance and feature deodorising properties.